Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap

Marc Perlof • April 10, 2026
A banner for weekly commercial real estate news recap
A car is parked in front of a sign that says 223

Retail Construction Slows Nationwide in 2026

Limited New Supply

The Commercial Observer reports that retail construction is slowing significantly in the US, with just 64.2M SF underway in Q1 2026, per CoStar Group data. This marks an 8% decline from 2025 and falls far short of the 10-year average of 90M SF. Industry experts point to rising land prices, higher construction costs, and elevated interest rates as key headwinds for retail construction.



The front of an aldi store with a sign in front of it.

C-store retailer Yesway files IPO; plans to open 130 new stores by 2031

Yesway has revived its effort to go public.


The Texas-based convenience store operator, which operates stores under the Yesway and Allsup banners, has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of Class A common stock. The company, which filed to go public in 2021 but subsequently withdrew the effort, applied to list the stock on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "YSWY..."

An elevated outdoor view of a modern shopping mall promenade with manicured greenery, palm trees, and pedestrians.

County Launches New Funding to Help Communities Buy Commercial Properties

The program offers forgivable financing to small businesses, nonprofit organizations and developers seeking to acquire commercial buildings. Officials say the goal is to promote local ownership of storefronts.


Los Angeles County officials announced a new round of funding aimed at helping small businesses and community groups purchase commercial properties, part of a broader effort to stabilize neighborhood business districts and reduce displacement...

The American flag waves against a bright blue sky between towering glass skyscrapers, viewed from a low angle.

Bed Bath & Beyond, making second pivot, to buy retailers Lumber Liquidators, Cabinets To Go

Bed Bath & Beyond will soon have a second $150 million acquisition under its belt, now striking a deal to buy the company that owns retailers Lumber Liquidators and Cabinets To Go and their roughly 300 stores.



The back‑to‑back acquisitions signal a sharp strategic pivot for Bed Bath & Beyond, underscoring its effort to reinvent itself from a traditional home‑goods retailer into a home‑services company focused on higher‑ticket renovation and installation projects rather than low‑margin merchandise sales...

A flat, single-story retail building with a

Chick-fil-A Dials Up Expansion as Sales Near $24 Billion

Chick-fil-A is in the process of shifting its licensed strategy and eyeing international acceleration. But stateside, growth is ramping up as well. According to its Monday-released FDD, the company expanded by a net of 179 franchised and company-operated stores in 2025 to reach 2,863 total outlets. That was a material lift from 2024’s 132 net openings and the prior year’s 141...

The main entrance of the NuHAA building, featuring a modern glass and stone facade, at sunset.

Store Expansion News: March update


Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in March with store expansion plans and new formats.

Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.



•CVS opens first of nearly 20 pharmacy-only stores planned for 2026 CVS Health has opened the first of nearly 20 pharmacy-only, “apothecary-style” CVS Pharmacy locations it plans to open this year. Located in Chicago’s West End neighborhood, the new concept aims to help bridge gaps in care and make it easier for community members to access medications, immunizations and other health care services, according to the company...

A modern two-story commercial office building with a stone-accented entrance at dusk, seen from a paved parking lot.

CoStar: Retail space construction down year over year in Q1


Commercial real estate construction remained low to start the year, continuing a long-term trend.

New data from real estate analytics firm CoStar found that in the first quarter of 2026, roughly 64.2 million square feet of retail space was under construction in the U.S., down from approximately 70 million square feet a year earlier. The first quarter total was also well below the 10-year average, which consistently exceeded 90 million square feet during the last expansion cycle...


A green Publix Food & Pharmacy sign mounted on a white and beige building exterior against a blue sky.

Wayfair to open large-format store at Galleria Fort Lauderdale


Wayfair is expanding its brick-and-mortar plans to the Sunshine State.

The online home furnishings giant will open its first large-format store in Florida at Galleria Fort Lauderdale as part of the center's comprehensive redevelopment...


Two bundt cakes on small plates: one with chocolate drizzle, one with caramel drizzle, with cinnamon sticks nearby.

Dollar Tree closed the most stores in March

Dollar Tree closed over a dozen stores during the month of March, including four in New Jersey and another three in New York, according to the latest data provided by 
ScrapeHero



Walgreens closed six locations while both CVS and Family Dollar closed five. Publix powered down three locations. 

CVS led the month for openings with six and Target opened five. Costco celebrated three openings and Dollar Tree cut the ribbon on two openings...

Interior of a casual restaurant featuring blue chairs, red accents, brick walls, and a

Marco's Pizza to open new locations across SoCal



The most populous state in the nation has posted negative population growth once more, according to recently released estimates from the Census Bureau. Los Angeles, the state’s largest market, lost 62,454 people in 2025 on a net basis...

By Marc Perlof May 25, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy CA #01489206 May 25, 2026 If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you. Some pricing strategies are rarely explained but can significantly impact your final sale price. The way your property is positioned can create competition, increase buyer activity, and change the outcome. Most owners never see how these strategies are actually used. More advanced pricing strategies are being used to control how buyers engage with a deal. In today’s market, demand is not assumed. It is created. What is causing it? Buyers are more selective and underwriting more carefully. Strong assets still attract interest, but only when they are positioned correctly. The difference is no longer just the property. It is how the deal is structured. How do advanced strategies impact your property value? They influence how many buyers engage and how those buyers behave. More activity creates competition. Competition leads to stronger offers and better pricing. What separates strong results from average ones? The ability to create that competition early in the process. Deals that rely on one buyer tend to settle. Deals that create multiple buyers competing tend to outperform. When should you use off-market strategies? Use them when discretion is important or when targeting specific buyers. When should you use controlled pricing approaches? Use them when you want to manage how buyers engage with your property and control how pricing is perceived in the market. Deals that generate early buyer competition are achieving stronger pricing than those relying on a single negotiated offer. Pricing strategy is not about exposure alone. It is about controlling the process and how buyers respond. Bonus: Strategic Underpricing Strategic underpricing involves positioning the property slightly below expected market value to increase early buyer activity. The goal is not to sell low. It is to create competition. When more buyers engage at the same time, the dynamic shifts. Buyers move faster, adjust their assumptions, and compete more aggressively on both price and terms. Some buyers may initially assume the pricing reflects distress or a motivated seller. That is why positioning and process matter. When the deal is presented correctly and buyer activity is visible, that perception shifts from “opportunity” to “competition.” This strategy only works under specific conditions. The pricing range, timing, and how buyer activity is managed during the process all need to be aligned. When used incorrectly, it can lead to weaker offers instead of stronger ones. That is why it is applied selectively and structured carefully. Most owners never see how this is actually executed. If you want to see how this strategy is structured in a real transaction, including pricing ranges, timing, and how multiple offers are managed, I put together a short guide you can request. Send me a message and I will share it with you. Are you creating competition or negotiating with one buyer? Call or DM me for more information. Based in Los Angeles. Serving Southern California. Active across California. Advising clients nationwide. #RetailRealEstate #InvestmentSales #NNN #CRE #ShoppingCenters #StripCenters #LosAngelesRealEstate #CommercialBroker #PropertyValue
By Marc Perlof May 22, 2026
Retail Real Estate Leaders Brace for Inflation Risks Retail real estate professionals arrived at ICSC Las Vegas this week with leasing momentum still intact, but economic anxiety creeping into conversations across the industry’s biggest annual gathering. Executives interviewed by CoStar News said resilient consumer spending and active retailer demand continue to support the sector, even as inflation, fuel prices, and global instability cloud the outlook for the second half of 2026...
By Marc Perlof May 18, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy CA #01489206 May 18, 2026 If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you. In some situations, removing the price can lead to stronger offers. This approach allows the market to determine value instead of limiting it upfront. When used correctly, it can create competition and improve your outcome. More retail properties are being marketed without a price. Brokers are using offer-driven strategies to let buyers compete based on their own assumptions. What is causing it? Differences in buyer expectations and uncertainty in valuation are driving this shift. In many cases, investors and developers value the same property differently, especially when there is upside or redevelopment potential. How does removing the price affect your value? Removing the price can eliminate the ceiling. Buyers are not anchored to a specific number, which can lead to stronger offers when demand is present. When multiple buyers are involved, this approach can create competition and push pricing higher. What is the risk? If demand is limited, offers may come in below expectations. This often happens when the buyer pool is thin or when the property has uncertainty, such as a short lease term, tenant risk, or redevelopment challenges. When should you use Request for Offers? Use it when there is strong demand and the property is expected to attract multiple buyers. Even in these situations, active buyers and brokers will often ask for pricing guidance or a whisper price to understand where the seller expects the deal to trade. When should you use a more flexible approach? Use submit offers when you want flexibility and are testing the market. This approach allows you to respond to buyer feedback while still maintaining control of the process. Some properties are marketed without a price because the broker does not have a clear view of value. That is not the same as a strategy. When used correctly, removing the price is intentional and supported by buyer demand, positioning, and a defined process. Without that structure, it can create confusion and weaker results. We are seeing strong assets generate multiple offers with this approach, while weaker deals struggle to gain traction without pricing guidance. This strategy is not about avoiding a price. It is about allowing the market to define it when the conditions support it. If you need context, review Part 2: “Should You List Your Retail Property With an Asking Price?” In next week’s final article, read “How Strategic Underpricing Can Increase Your Retail Property Sale Price” (Part 4) , including one approach many owners overlook. If you are considering an offer-driven strategy, reach out before going to market. I will help you determine if your property can support it and how to structure it properly. Call or DM me for more information. Would removing your price increase your value or create uncertainty? Based in Los Angeles. Serving Southern California. Active across California. Advising clients nationwide. #RetailRealEstate #CRE #InvestmentProperty #CommercialBroker #LosAngelesRealEstate #NNN #RetailInvesting #PropertySales
More Posts